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Options Trader Braves Volatility in Media Giant

Options Trader Braves Volatility in Media Giant

Damn the volatility -- full speed ahead. That seemed to be the message from one big options trader in Comcast (CMCSA) yesterday: A block of 5,669 23-November 35 puts was bought in the middle of the afternoon for just $0.02. Volume was below open interest, which...

Volatility Spreads to Retail as Bears Multiply

Volatility Spreads to Retail as Bears Multiply

Extreme gloom is spreading from technology to retailers. Target (TGT), Lowe's (LOW), TJX (TJX), Kohl's (KSS) and L Brands (LB) are all dropping today. Some missed earnings, others missed on same-store sales. Regardless, investors refused to give any the benefit of the...

Are There Winners from the Selloff in Oil?

Are There Winners from the Selloff in Oil?

Oil just had its biggest drop in at least four years, and winners may be emerging. Airlines are one of the best-performing groups recently, according to TradeStation's uber-useful RadarScreen® app. They've risen 3 percent in the last week and 6 percent in the last...

Boring Stocks Rose Before the Midterms

Boring Stocks Rose Before the Midterms

After October's volatility, investors seemed to be playing it safe. Big and "boring" stocks are among the top performers in the last month.  Most of them are consumer facing rather than dynamic innovators. We're talking Gillette razors, big-box retail and Egg...

Oil, Airlines and Housing: Charts to Watch

Oil, Airlines and Housing: Charts to Watch

Stocks have bounced sharply this week, but oil continues to slide. Crude oil futures (@CL) closed at their lowest level in more than four months yesterday. The move follows a post on Market Insights last month that highlighted growing inventories and weak price action...

Tech’s Problems Multiply: Earnings This Week

Tech’s Problems Multiply: Earnings This Week

Technology stocks rebounded sharply yesterday, but recent earnings reports show problems multiplying in the sector. Just look at Amazon.com (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOGL) and Facebook (FB). All three missed revenue estimates, potentially marking an end to years of solid...

Guess Which Blue Chip is Popping Today

Guess Which Blue Chip is Popping Today

Stocks attempted a rebound this morning after yesterday's explosive session, while some big earnings announcements got off to good starts. Pfizer (PFE) bettered earnings estimates but lowered its revenue guidance, while Coca-Cola (KO) beat earnings expectations and...

Bulls Clean Up with Consumer Giant: Options Recap

Bulls Clean Up with Consumer Giant: Options Recap

Someone's cleaning up as consumer staples defy the market selloff. Just look at Procter & Gamble (PG), whose brands include Tide laundry detergent, Bounty paper towels and Dawn dish-washing liquid. It's one of the best-performing members of the Dow Jones...

Stocks Cling to Gains After Volatility Shock

Stocks Cling to Gains After Volatility Shock

Stocks are trying to hold their ground after a brutal volatility shock earlier this month. The S&P 500 rose less than 0.1 percent between Friday, October 12, and Friday, October 19 -- its first gain in three weeks. The index is still down more than 5 percent since...